Unpopular Opinions - Plecos

RD.

Gold Tier VIP
MFK Member
May 9, 2007
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Loved this pleco, a stunning 9" female L014, that was the most aggressive pleco that I ever owned, especially around feeding time. She would back up 10" cichlids when she smelled pellets hit the water. lol

thumbnail_bret10.jpg
 

Defalt

Exodon
MFK Member
Jan 5, 2022
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Indonesia
My unpopular opinion: Maybe because I'm not super deep into the pleco scene but I find the L-number naming format pretty weird and confusing. To me numbers as name see weird and it's kinda troublesome to have to open google image from time to time to get an idea of what the pleco look like.
 

Deadeye

POTM Curator
Staff member
MFK Member
Aug 31, 2020
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My unpopular opinion: Maybe because I'm not super deep into the pleco scene but I find the L-number naming format pretty weird and confusing. To me numbers as name see weird and it's kinda troublesome to have to open google image from time to time to get an idea of what the pleco look like.
I couldn’t even tell you a bristlenose’s number. I know why it’s in place for sellers and collectors, but for the non pleco enthusiast it’s a nightmare.
 
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Niki_up

Blue Tier VIP
MFK Member
Jan 5, 2018
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My unpopular opinion: Maybe because I'm not super deep into the pleco scene but I find the L-number naming format pretty weird and confusing. To me numbers as name see weird and it's kinda troublesome to have to open google image from time to time to get an idea of what the pleco look like.
An L number is actually quite nice to have. The common names doesn’t always get you the pleco you are looking for, but if you have the L number your more than likely going to get what you want.

with the term zebra pleco you could be looking at L046 the black and white known striped pleco, L129 the black and yellow squiggly lined Columbia’s pleco, l127 black and yellow spotty pleco, L173 black and white squiggly lined pleco, and I’m sure there are more that go by the name zebra. So having the numbers helps greatly here.

you also don’t need to remember every l number and what the pleco looks like bc I can assure you that there are so many plecos that even if people used common names or scientific names you would still have to go google what they look like
 

CrazyPhishMan

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Feb 13, 2017
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Massachusetts
An L number is actually quite nice to have. The common names doesn’t always get you the pleco you are looking for, but if you have the L number your more than likely going to get what you want.

with the term zebra pleco you could be looking at L046 the black and white known striped pleco, L129 the black and yellow squiggly lined Columbia’s pleco, l127 black and yellow spotty pleco, L173 black and white squiggly lined pleco, and I’m sure there are more that go by the name zebra. So having the numbers helps greatly here.

you also don’t need to remember every l number and what the pleco looks like bc I can assure you that there are so many plecos that even if people used common names or scientific names you would still have to go google what they look like
Good point! I prefer specific over general when referring to fish. I believe the same applies to the many fish called “gold nugget” plecos and their varying degrees of hardiness
 
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